The Implementation and Optimisation of Mud Recycle at Maidstone Mill

Mud Recycle is a process option for cane diffuser factories; it eliminates the need for a filter station by using the bed of shredded cane in the diffuser to separate out mud solids from the juice. This paper describes the Mud Recycle system at Maidstone mill and presents the results of a Mud Recycle trial that was carried out during the 1998 season. Maidstone switched to Mud Recycle on a permanent basis at the start of the 1999 season. The experiences with Mud Recycle during both periods are discussed and steps taken to optimise and automate Mud Recycle are presented. Possible changes to the current methods for mud analysis are discussed, and a simplified method for calculating the mill balance is proposed for those mills that operate Mud Recycle. Finally, the cost savings for Maidstone during the 1999 season, as a result of Mud Recycle, are presented.